GOALS for #everygirl EBRD Community Initiative
Description
We are back-to-school and Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is getting ready to relaunch its girls soccer leagues. Because of the recent pandemic children have been mostly isolated at home and most after-school activities had been either canceled or moved online. Children have been isolated from each other and haven’t been able to partake in physical activities. We are very eager to bring sports back to regional Armenia and give the opportunity to our girls to get back on the field.
As you know health and hygiene education are more relevant than ever. GOALS has developed a new curriculum to ensure that our 80 teams across 8 regions of Armenia are practicing not only a healthy physical lifestyle, and keeping to hygiene norms, but also have a safe space to work on mental health.
The topic of health and hygiene is underrated in Armenia, especially among rural communities. We know that by incorporating learning about health and hygiene into our sports activities we will be able to fundamentally improve the lives of over 1000 girls. Our anticipated indirect impact is estimated at over 5000 community members across Armenia. This is your chance to contribute to the overall wellbeing of our girls and Armenia. Your contributions will go towards ensuring our communities have the tools necessary to organize safe and healthy sports activities, this includes, uniforms, sports equipment, medical kits, masks, thermometers, etc.
Every dollar you contribute to this project will be matched by our amazing partner.
Subject to its rules, funding raised through this campaign will be matched by the EBRD Community Initiative to a maximum of EUR 50,000. The EBRD Community Initiative is a program dedicated to support staff who are engaged with local organizations helping communities in the EBRD countries of operations.
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The Need
Throughout Armenia, there are limited opportunities for girls to play soccer. Despite having a strong desire to do so, girls cannot find the resources necessary or sporting groups that make experiencing the game a possibility. In addition, organized sport participation has several benefits to youth development such as leadership skills, teamwork skills, confidence building and improved overall physical health. The GOALS organization helps give young women the chance to play soccer through their GOALS Leagues, Media, Coach and Referee trainings, Camps and After-school Clubs while helping Armenian communities change the broader mindset limiting girls and women in many aspects of their lives and see that girls can and should be future leaders of their country!
Short Term Impact
GOALS will fill the gap of the lack of afterschool activities in the regions of Armenia and non-formal education and development opportunities. Along with providing immediate health and hygiene education through sports, we will also facilitate conversations around mental health and wellbeing in a post-COVID world.
Long Term Impact
In the long-term, public opinion regarding girls’ participation in soccer is changing, paving for the way for greater sports and leadership opportunities. We see a movement toward more inclusive soccer leagues that start at a young age and continue, also contributing to a competitive National Team for Armenia.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on the GOALs website and in all relevant press of this important project.
Our Donors (107)
- Anonymous $5,000 Nov 16, 2020
- Ms. Kathryn Moos $50 In Memory of Gabriella Tokatlian Nov 15, 2020
- Ms. Thia Reggio $50 Nov 15, 2020
- Shaghalian Larkin Family $250 Nov 15, 2020
- Meghan & Jeff's Honeymoon Fund $50 Nov 15, 2020
- Mr. & Mrs. John & Susan Vlahakis $200 Nov 14, 2020
- Ms. Alexandra Jaegar $100 Nov 14, 2020
- Mr. & Mrs. Andrew & Meaghan Leone $50 Nov 13, 2020
- Mr. Michael Orans $50 Nov 13, 2020
- Mr. P. Kevin Morris $5,000 Nov 13, 2020
- Ms. Myrna Barakat $250 Nov 13, 2020
- Edson Family $50 Nov 13, 2020